Maria Callas▓ jewelry exhibition

Date: 20.09.2005 Source: news agency "Russian Antique"

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Maria Callas [zoom (55k)]

A free exhibition of jewelry and costumes worn by the revered opera singer Maria Callas who died aged 53 in 1977 is on view at London's Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The important and interesting collection, which includes the bridal jewelry from Callas' New York performance of the famous opera ╚Tosca╩, is part of an exhibition running at the legendary opera house until January 10, 2006. It will then travel to Prague, Brussels and New York.

Many of the pieces presented at the showcase were made by Italian jeweler Ennio Marino Marangoni including a crown for her debut in ╚La Gioconda╩. Among other pieces are necklaces and earrings made for a performance of ╚La Traviata╩ in 1955 where the soprano singer took to the stage at Milan's legendary ╚La Scala╩.

Late last year jewelry owned by Maria Callas went under the hammer at Sotheby's in Geneva. The top lot of the sales was a marquise-shaped diamond ring, weighing 11.7 carats. It was estimated to fetch GBP68,000-100,000 but was sold for impressive GBP213,000. One of the biggest surprises of the Swiss sale was when an item went for almost nine times the pre-sale estimate. Callas' 18-carat gold evening bag, trimmed with diamonds fetched GBP24,430.00.

The 1950s were Callas' ╚golden years╩ when she was winning worldwide acclaim for her performances at ╚La Scala╩ in Milan. Many of the items sold at the auction were given to her by her husband during that period.